Herculaneum announces two-domus reopening on 24 October
Published on 10/31/2026 at 08:30 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWSDomus reopening and visitor access
- The Archaeological Park of Herculaneum announced the reopening of two residences on 24 October 2026.
- A Domus Project press conference is scheduled for 5 November 2026 at the Antiquarium.
- Vesuvius buried the Roman town in 79 AD, helping preserve upper floors and wooden objects.
Herculaneum (Ercolano) has announced a reopening of two ancient residences at its archaeological park in Italy on 24 October 2026. The House of the Mosaic Atrium and the Wattle-and-Daub House are once again open to the public, giving visitors access to two parts of the Roman town that had been closed for decades.
Two Herculaneum residences return to the visitor route
The announcement was published by the Archaeological Park on 24 October 2026 as part of the Domus Project. The park, led by director Federica Colaiacomo, said the two houses were reopening as a new phase of the conservation programme. The notice also schedules a Domus Project press conference for 5 November 2026 at the Antiquarium.
The change matters for visitors because the reopening concerns named residential buildings rather than a general programme or a temporary event. The 24 October park announcement identifies both houses and states that they are once again accessible to the public.
Why the Domus Project suits this preserved Roman town
Herculaneum was buried when Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD. Its remains are part of the Archaeological Areas of Pompeii, Herculaneum and Torre Annunziata, which UNESCO inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1997.
UNESCO describes the town as smaller than Pompeii but better preserved in several respects. Pyroclastic flows covered the ancient streets and buildings, preserving upper floors and organic materials such as wooden furniture. That history gives the two reopened residences a direct connection to the character of the site: they are domestic buildings within an ancient town where everyday construction and household spaces remain central to the visitor experience. The UNESCO World Heritage record also identifies the park's preserved shops, houses and public buildings.
Visiting Herculaneum: what travellers from Western Europe should know
- The reopening announcement is dated 24 October 2026 and concerns the House of the Mosaic Atrium and the Wattle-and-Daub House at the Archaeological Park.
- Both residences are described as once again open to the public; the Domus Project press conference is scheduled for 5 November 2026 at the Antiquarium.
- The site is at 80056 Ercolano in the Metropolitan City of Naples, Italy, according to the national tourism board. It lies within the modern town of Ercolano.
- The official language is Italian and the national currency is the euro.
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Frequently asked questions about Herculaneum
What has changed at Herculaneum?
The House of the Mosaic Atrium and the Wattle-and-Daub House are once again open to the public after decades of closure.
When does the Domus Project press conference take place at Herculaneum?
The press conference is scheduled for 5 November 2026 at the Antiquarium within the archaeological park.
Where is Herculaneum and how do you get there?
The archaeological park is in Ercolano, in the Metropolitan City of Naples, Italy. The national tourism board gives the address as 80056 Ercolano.
